Coulthard believes his track record speaks for itself

Coulthard, who is being squeezed out by the arrival of Juan Pablo Montoya, has been linked with Jaguar, Williams and Toyota but has yet to agree a deal.

"David is a free agent but if he didn't get a drive, we would discuss whether there is a role for him," said Dennis.

That role is likely to be as a test driver, but Coulthard is determined to be in the frontline next year.

"I intend to be racing," he said. "I am pretty relaxed about the future but I am fully concentrating on the weekend."

Coulthard and McLaren have had a dreadful start to the season, but the 33-year-old believes his experience and track record can win him a drive for 2005.

Jaguar looks likely to be his best option, although Williams, the team with which he started his career in 1994, are still to announce their 2005 line-up.

Coulthard has won 13 races in his career, more than any other current driver except Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.